Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota expands its reach in 2014-15 season

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota is expanding its reach for the 2014-15 season, with concerts planned in North Port and a weekend festival devoted entirely to the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

"We always try to do one special thing each year, which this year is the Grieg Festival," said John Fischer, executive director of the performance series.

The Grieg Festival, Jan. 9-11, will include three concerts of lesser-known works, lectures, presentations, an exhibit of Grieg's manuscripts and a competition for prizes including a concert tour of Norway.

ACS' 19th season includes nearly 50 performances from classical and pops to cabaret, chamber soirees, a luncheon series and special performances.

Two of the Soiree performances, held in the home Fischer shares with his partner, Jim Weisenborne, will include young performers who were part of ACS's 2-12 sponsorship of "From the Top," the public-radio program that highlights young classical musicians. Kevin Zhu, from Cupertino, Calif., and Jennifer Kim, from Cypress, Calif., will perform on Oct. 5-6 and April 26-27 respectively.

"That's one thing I think is kinda nifty," said Fischer.

Ying Quartet / COURTESY PHOTO

ACS has added Joseph Holt, artistic director for the choral ensemble Gloria Musicae, as artistic director for special projects. He will oversee the North Port series and be involved in the December holiday performance of "A Broadway Holiday" with cabaret singers Will and Anthony Nunziata, Gloria Musicae and pianist Alvin Hough Jr., the Grieg Festival and "A Romp with Gilbert & Sullivan" in May.

"What Joe adds is that we're doing more and more outreach to the schools...and to other communities close to Sarasota," said Fischer, who shares the leadership role at ACS with artistic director Lee Dougherty Ross. "Lee and I can't do it all. ... Both Lee and Joe went to Eastman (School of Music). They have great rapport and can bounce things off each other."

Thomas Pandolfi / COURTESY PHOTO

Fischer, who calls himself a "Broadway baby," said he's perhaps most looking forward to Klea Blackhurst's concerts on Nov. 15-16, "Everything That Traffic Will Allow: A Tribute to the Music of Ethel Merman."

The season also includes the diversity of a "Trumpet Invasion," May 2-3, with Sarasota father-son duo Rich Ridenour on piano and Brandon Ridenour on trumpet. Soprano Mara Bonde will give the trumpeter a bit of relief from playing three concerts, Fischer said.

Klea Blackhurst

Fischer said assembling the season is "a tremendous effort, but one that we greet happily year after year because it brings much joy to everyone involved. Offering inspired performances by outstanding artists is a given. But we go beyond that by selecting preeminent performers, both emerging and renowned, who will appeal to younger audiences as well as to seasoned concertgoers. Our aim is to engage, entertain and inspire."